Vince Lombardo

Vincent "Vince" Frank Lombardo, 65, of Grants Pass died Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at his home. a celebration of his life will be held on April 18th, 1:30 PM at the Riverside Convention Center. Vincent was born August 23, 1943, in Buffalo, New York to Joseph and Jennie Lombardo. He graduated from McKinley Vocational High School. In 1962, he joined the US Army National Guard. After serving until 1969, he went to visit a cousin in Los Angeles, California and west coast bound he stayed. In Los Angeles, he managed seven Hunter Boat franchises along with a Los Angeles music club. In the early 1980's he worked for several local car dealerships. In 1984 he obtained his auto broker's license and started Associated Auto Brokers. Vince continued to work with several loyal, repeat customers to purchase vehicles throughout his lifetime. In 1979, he married Marjean Helliwell in Corona del Mar, California. After visiting relatives in Williams, Oregon, he fell in love with the country and moved to Williams where he designed and built his house and later a second house closer to town in 1989. His early love for music in his parent's church led him to start playing in several bands in the 1960's and eventually start his own. In 1999, he founded River City Rhythm and Blues; now known as "River City R'n'B", they had just finished creating a CD "Under the Covers with River City R'n'B". He deeply loved his family and his country home. He enjoyed music, boating, camping, going to the dunes, wood working, spending time with his family and believed in loving and living life to the fullest. In addition to his wife, Marjean F. Lombardo, survivors include his daughter, Hether Leigh Lombardo-Benjamin of California; his son, Vincent Joseph Lombardo, Jr., Grants Pass; two grandchildren, Curtis and Malory Benjamin of California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rev. Jennie Lombardo, Buffalo, New York.